08/13/2020
Puerto Vallarta is located in the Bay of Banderas, in the state of Jalisco on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Well known for its magnificent bay, one of the largest and deepest in the world, and the careful preservation of its authentic Mexican traditions and historic center, the Puerto Vallarta area features 25 miles of coastline and a diverse topography, including tropical jungles, rocky riverbeds, steep mountain sides and arid flatlands. Each region brings a uniqueness that adds to the entire charm of Puerto Vallarta.
Zones
The town of Puerto Vallarta is comprised of the following areas: Marina Vallarta, Hotel Zone, Downtown (El Centro), and the South Shore.
Marina Vallarta
Marina Vallarta, just south of the airport, is a 500- slip marina surrounded by condos, and a boardwalk housing a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants. The Marina area is also home to an 18-hole golf course and luxury hotels.
Hotel Zone
The Hotel Zone or zona hotelera stretches from Downtown (El Centro) to Marina Vallarta and is home to many hotels including all-inclusive resort chains to boutique properties and high-rise condos.
Downtown (El Centro)
Downtown (El Centro) and Los Mu***os Beach is considered the heart of Puerto Vallarta known for its nightlife, restaurants, bars and shopping. The downtown area is walk-friendly with its quaint cobble stoned streets, white-walled houses, wrought-iron balconies and red-tiled roofs and home to most of Puerto Vallarta’s finest gastronomy, art galleries, crafts markets as well as designer boutiques. The town’s famous Malecón (boardwalk) lines the beach all along this area and the Arcos (Arches), across the street from the town’s main square, regularly holds open air concerts, dance performances, fireworks and.
South Shore
The South Shore is where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the Bay creating many secluded beaches, coves, and rivers. Many of the beaches in this area are so isolated that they are only accessible by boat. The mountainous jungle extends right up to the white sandy beach creating a picturesque tropical setting. Many outdoor adventure and eco-tourism activities are held in this area.
Safe Travel
The state of Jalisco received the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp in June 2020 for fully complying with globally standardized health and hygiene protocol based on the standards of the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Prevention. This endorsement and validation of the health sector allows Jalisco to safely welcome tourists back to the beautiful beaches and attractions of Puerto Vallarta.
In Puerto Vallarta, all hotels are required to follow cleanliness and sanitation protocol established and monitored by local authorities in addition to protocol required by their parent company or ownership. Cleaning, sanitizing, and disease prevention measures remain in place at the cruise port and Puerto Vallarta International Airport where face masks are mandatory, temperature screenings are in effect, disinfectant on terminal building welcome mats is applied and distancing is enforced for lines such as migration, customs and baggage claim.
Attractions
In addition to its long stretch of sunny, picturesque beaches, Puerto Vallarta’s authentic Mexican flavor proves a big draw for most North American visitors. The town’s main square and Malecón come alive on weekends with live music, artists, mimes, and even the flying dancers of Papantla making for the perfect environment for a romantic stroll or family outing.
The historic downtown area is a charming collection of white-walled houses, wrought-iron balconies, red- tiled roofs and cobble stoned streets. Puerto Vallarta offers fantastic shopping from local arts and crafts fairs to indigenous handcrafts from the local Wixarika (pronounced Vee-ra-ree-ka) Indians, more commonly referred to as the Huichols; local jewelry designs, original home items and other designer boutiques. The town also hosts one of the most dynamic art gallery scenes in Mexico offering a wide selection of works by local and regional artists.
A sampling of land based, air and ocean adventure sports found in Puerto include the following: mountain biking, urban cycling, ATV tours, canopy (ziplinning ) tours, hiking, parasailing, sailing, sea kayaking, stand up paddle, scuba diving, skydiving, snorkeling and more.